Powder
Blue Tang(Acanthurus leucosternon)

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The Powder blue tang or Acanthurus
leucosternon is cataloged in the
family Acanthuridae. This family is
comprised of 80 species in 6 different genera. The family encompasses
all
surgeonfishes, tangs, and unicornfishes. Tangs are actually a category
of
surgeonfish. Surgeonfish receive their names from the curved pointed
end at the
top and bottom of their caudal fins. This curvature and pointed tip
resembles a
surgeon’s scalpel. The powder blue tang is native to the
shallow water regions
of both the Pacific and IndianOceans.

This fish has the
flat
rounded body typical of tangs. Its light blue
coloration is accented with black, white, and yellow.It
has a black face outlined in white and or
light blue, white ventral and anal fins, and a yellow dorsal fin. Its
caudal
fin is predominantly white with a yellow triangular marking at the
base,
followed by a grayish blue or black vertical stripe. There is a second
stripe
towards the end of the tail fin.This
fish’s color palette does not fade as it matures as do most
surgeonfish. They
will reach an adult length of up to 9 inches. The powder blue tang is
also
marketed by the aquarium trade under the name powder blue surgeonfish.

The powder blue
has an
aggressive temperament. They actually make good
community fish provided they are housed with species of similar size
and
temperament. They will bully their smaller and more timid tank mates.
These are
active swimmers. Powder blues will
work well in a marine reef tank if
they are
given plenty of room to maneuver. They
will not nip at your coral or
try to eat
your ornamental crustaceans. However they may view any aquatic plant
life as a
tempting taste treat. Powders will also help you to keep the algae
growth on
your living rocks and reef formations in check. These fish are
generally intolerant
of their own species in the confined space of an aquarium. They will
instinctively set out to establish territorial dominance. A male and a
female
may be kept together. A minimum tank size of 100 gallons is recommended
if you
plan on keeping this fish in a multi-species tank.

This species is
rated at a
moderate care level. Amateur aquarist should not
attempt to raise one until they become more adept at the nuances of
maintaining
saltwater species. They require a higher level of oxygenation in their
water
than many other marine species. This can be achieved by the use of
multiple
power heads.

Tangs are
highly
susceptible to both ich and marine velvet. They frequently
arrive at fish stores infected after having been subjected to the
camped
conditions of shipping containers. It is highly advisable that you
isolate this
fish in a quarantine tank for a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks before
introducing it
to the general population. Many larger exotic fish stores will
quarantine your
fish for you as part of the purchase agreement. If own a quarantine
tank
putting cleaner shrimp in with your new purchase is recommended. Skunk
cleaner
shrimp are well suited for helping to clean up your new arrival.

Powders are
omnivorous. A
well established collection of living rock is a must
if they are not being added to a marine reef setup. In captivity they
will
frequently nibble at the protein based products intended for the
aquarium’s
other inhabitants. This is fine but make sure they receive plenty of
plant
matter in their diets to keep them healthy and active. Marine plant
based food
products are a good start. This should be supplemented with dried algae
regularly.

Males and
females have
identical coloration. However the females of this
species are considerably larger than the males. These fish are not
known to
breed in home aquariums.

A
note of precaution to all first time tang owners: All tangs are
surgeonfish.
Surgeonfish derive their names from the scalpel-like projections at the
base of
their tails. These
self-defensive
mechanisms
are razor sharp and will easily slice through human flesh. All
surgeonfish should
be handled with extreme care!